BROOKVILLE, N.Y. - Jimmy Barbarise has been named Long Island University's first Head Women's Flag Football Coach, Director of Athletics Elliott Charles announced on Wednesday. Barbarise, a Centereach, New York native, returns to Long Island to lead the Sharks into their inaugural season of competition during the 2025-2026 academic year.
Barbarise joins LIU after three successful seasons as the head coach at the University of Tampa, where he led the Spartans to a 28-10 overall record and a No. 3 national ranking this past season.
Prior to coaching at the collegiate level, Babarise coached high school flag football in Florida, leading the program at Classical Preparatory School for five seasons and Sunlake High School for one season. At Classical Prep, Barbarise's team claimed the Florida Christian Athletic Private Parochial Schools state championship in 2021. At Sunlake, his team posted a 12-4 mark in the program's inaugural year of competition.
Off the field, Barbarise has dedicated much of his time toward growing the sport's footprint. From 2007-2022, he worked with i9 Sports, playing a key role in the national expansion of flag football. Over the past three years, Barbarise served as a board member for the Women's Collegiate Flag Football League (WCFFL), contributing directly to the growth and development of women's flag football at the collegiate level.
A former player in the Long Island Flag Football League (LIFFL), Barbarise is a 2018 inductee of the Long Island Flag Football Hall of Fame.
"I am beyond excited to return home and build an inaugural team that will exemplify the winning culture here at LIU," said Barbarise. "With over three decades of flag football experience—as a player, director, and coach—I've had the honor of building grassroots programs, leading teams to state championships, winning at the college level, and being inducted into the Long Island Flag Football Hall of Fame.
"I bring this wealth of experience and passion to LIU, and I'm truly honored and blessed to join this incredible team. I look forward to making a meaningful impact both on and off the field and helping shape a program that reflects the pride and spirit of this community. Let's get to work. Go Sharks!"
On March 17, LIU Athletics announced the addition of a women's flag football varsity program. One of the fastest-growing sports in the country, women's flag football is scheduled to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 summer games in Los Angeles.
